Friday Ramble

Hi everyone, the calendar's telling me it's Friday again and as usual it's come around quite quickly. I'm not sure why, for me, because, as for lots of us, I found moments when it was a bit of a struggle to remain cheerful. I tried hard, I really did, and gave myself pep talks and fell back on how heroes of mine faced far worse, but I think the time had come for just a moment or two of indulgence in being really fed up!

I don't think it's wrong to do that once in a while. It’s just that it’s not a good thing to let it rumble on for too long, so with that thought I went off in search of any kind of cheerfulness, and found it in a song/dance called JERUSALEMA!

It’s one of those internet things which has gone viral around the world, and is a line dance set to the words of a song. It originated in South Africa, was composed by a musician going by the name of Master KG, and when friends videoed themselves dancing to it and it was uploaded to TikTok it spread like wildfire.

The words mean ‘Jerusalem is my home’ and it’s catchy and the dance is really easy to do. It must be, as even I’ve learned it at the age of 72 and I’ve got two left feet at the best of times, and sometimes feel as if I’ve got three. And it doesn’t need much space so I can even join in with the video in my tiny apartment. But it's also very upbeat to just listen to, if you have less mobility.

It's lively and cheering even on your own, but I was thinking what fun it would be for communities to do it together after lockdown (and when it's safe), to raise money for (maybe), coronavirus charities. It's a lovely simple thing to help bring the world together again after what's been a really dreadful time for us all.

There’s a link below to several different versions so that you can watch one, or watch them all if you'd like! They are all quite different!

I hope this week went well for you and that you feel some kind of cheer over the weekend. Mine will be, because if I feel fed up, I shall simply dance the Jerusalema!

Take care everyone and good luck to anyone whose has a date with the coronavirus vaccine coming up over the next few days!

youtu.be/TH4V-yHbJXk(Not working as expected?)

youtu.be/edXShr31iUI(Not working as expected?)

youtu.be/33mzUT_AeBQ(Not working as expected?)

Take care everyone. 💖

[sassy59]

Hello Callendersgal, how wonderful to find something cheery to do at home. I will definitely investigate that so thank you for the links.

I have moments of feeling a bit fed up but manage to talk myself out of it. Life goes marching on doesn’t it. I’m trying to go with the flow and not get too caught up with the News etc. Can be somewhat depressing.

Have a lovely weekend. We might see snow on Sunday.

Love to all. Stay safe and warm. Xx🥶💖😘

[Hidden in reply to sassy59]

Hi sassy59, I suppose I'm destined to find out how my neighbours underneath me like the Jerusalema, but I shall definitely be doing it, unless it is disturbing them. I'm sure they will let me know if I am! 🤣You do seem to be really good at finding things to be cheerful about but I guess we all falter from time to time. I think one thing that keeps me going best is to avoid news broadcasts. Funny thing, it all filters through without watching it and that way it comes as only the few facts and not all the gloom that pads it out in broadcasts.

I'd actually welcome the sight of a little snow, so I rather hope we will get at least a few flakes on Sunday.

Whatever you are doing sassy59, I hope you enjoy your weekend! ❄️⛄️🙏👍💖xxx

[sassy59 in reply to Hidden]

Good luck with the neighbours😂maybe they will join in. I’m not that good at finding things to be cheerful about but make myself stay positive if I can. It doesn’t always work.😬

Our daughter and family move next Thursday so I’ll have to just try and keep smiling through. 🤞🏼👍🥰 Take care xxxxx

[FredaE in reply to sassy59]

nearer or further away?

[sassy59 in reply to FredaE]

About a 15 minute drive away which is nothing I know. They live just around the corner now so it will be strange. I’m fully behind the move and I know they’ll be very happy in their new home.

Take care Freda. Xxx

[Hidden in reply to sassy59]

Wishing your daughter a smooth move next week and I hope they will enjoy their new home to the fullest! It is going to be a little strange for you with their being a bit further away, but once we get back to more normality and can move around more easily the extra distance won't be noticeable at all! 🙏😊👍 xx

[sassy59 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Xx😀👍💖

[FredaE in reply to Hidden]

How about a nice thick rug to dance on?

[Hidden in reply to FredaE]

Now that could be the answer FredaE! 👍😊

[Hellebelle]

Hi Callendersgal, thank you so much for the links I will definitely dance along and try to get my reluctant husband to do it too. There is something joyous in dancing to such inspiring music. Boy, do we need that at the moment, so thank you!

I think we all reach a point where we are fed up with the situation. I had a bit of a melt down last week but have tried to get outside as much as possible with our dog which has helped enormously.

Sending lots of love and strength to everyone on the forum.

Helen xx

[Hidden in reply to Hellebelle]

Hi Helen, I think we have to give in to the odd meltdown. Once in a while nothing will console you until you've had one, and then you can build up your resistance to it all again. I love to think of you and your husband giving this a go! i don't think there's room for hubby to join me as we're both big people, but I know he'd love it, given his rhythmic roots as a Caribbean lad! Maybe one can dance and one can do the judging! 😃👍

[Goldenanny]

Hi Callendersgal

Yes .... we all get really down sometimes with lack of sleep and anxious thoughts until we get cheered up by a phone call or WhatsApp message from a friend or the family.

Thank you for your information about Jerusalema. I don’t use Facebook so didn’t know about this dance which went viral last year. I decided to try it out and spent some time today learning the dance with different groups around the world on Utube. I’m hoping when our Zumba class resumes we can try it out together.

I enjoyed myself so thank you for cheering me up! Keep safe and well everyone 🥰🥰

[Hidden in reply to Goldenanny]

That sounds fantastic Goldenanny... I too have had some practice this afternoon and adapting a little for fear of my elephant footsteps disturbing the folks in the flat beneath me. It was lots of fun and, as you said, I guess we can go and join a group anywhere in the world. I love the various spins on the steps, like the flexible hips of the kids in Africa and the Irish dance steps incorporated into the Gardai version. Great minds think alike. I'm hoping that by next Christmas I'll be able to do it with my Scottish Country Dance pals at our ceilidh! 😃🌈👍

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Ceilidh is a traditional Scottish festival isn't it with dance and music similar to the eisteddfod here in Wales.

Had a nice walk out this morning with my sister in law and really enjoyed it and it was nice getting together with her face to face after not having done so since the end of November and rang another friend up to ask if she would like to meet me outside for a walk next week and we sorted something out for Wednesday morning which will be nice to look forward to as the law in Wales has changed as now you can meet 1 person outside who isn't in your household for outdoor exercise.

Baby is well and looking forward to her 17th in April.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yes that's right catgirl1976. As well as dance anyone attending can 'do a turn', like singing solo, playing an instrument, doing some comedy etc. They are really fun.

It's really lovely that you're going to be able to meet up with a friend outside for a walk. We all need a bit of a change I think! We're all feeling so stale. Glad to hear that Baby's well! 😊👍

[Hidden in reply to Goldenanny]

I was cheered up this morning by going out for a chat and socially distanced walk with my sister in law who I hadn't seen in person since the end of November and I really enjoyed it!

OK we talk on the phone and video calls but they aren't the same as in person visits!